One Economy Celebrates 10 Years of Connecting Underserved Communities
to Technology Worldwide

FCC Chairman and Michigan Technology Student Honored at Annual Event

October 07, 2010 07:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 400 corporate, community, political leaders, students and
supporters joined One
Economy’s founders and employees at the Newseum
as the global nonprofit celebrated 10 years of delivering technology and
information to underserved communities worldwide. The event included an
awards ceremony honoring Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and the
FCC National Broadband Team for its leadership in promoting broadband
adoption, and Michigan student Amet Alijahmi, who is using technology to
improve her community. Comcast,
a long time supporter and partner in One Economy’s mission, was the
Title Sponsor of the 10-year Gala.

For the past 10 years, One Economy has developed a successful model for
creating economic opportunities for low-income residents through the
power of 21st century technology. Since its founding in 2000, One
Economy has brought affordable Internet access and its award-winning
online tools and programs to more than 19 million people across four
continents.

“From our beginnings in the basement of an office building, to where we
are today – in 42 states and 16 countries – the people gathered here
tonight have been instrumental in fulfilling One Economy’s mission,”
said Rey Ramsey, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of One Economy.
“One Economy was founded on the idea that when you empower people with
access to the right tools and the knowledge of how to use them, they
will succeed. We have proved this to be true, again and again, in
communities the world over. I am truly grateful to all of our partners,
supporters and friends who believed in this idea and helped so many
people around the world realize it too.”

The program began with a video retrospective of One Economy’s work
directed by Hollywood actor, director and producer Robert Townsend, who
also heads up One Economy’s Public Internet Channel (Pic.TV).
Following the retrospective, FCC Chairman Julius
Genachowski gave remarks after receiving the Metcalfe Digital
Opportunity Award on behalf of the FCC National Broadband Team for its
work in expanding broadband adoption. The award is named for Jane
Metcalfe, founder of WIRED magazine and a One Economy Board Member. The
award recognizes leadership in the democratization of technology and the
Internet.

“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the National Broadband
Plan team and the entire FCC. The National Broadband Plan is an
ambitious strategy to promote economic opportunity by fostering the most
vibrant and innovative broadband ecosystem in the world, and broad
access to high-speed Internet by all Americans. I couldn’t be prouder of
the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, and the dedicated public servants who
worked so hard to produce it,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
“One Economy understood ten years ago the importance of technology in
bringing underserved communities into the economic mainstream. One
Economy's tireless work has been invaluable in creating a blueprint for
economic change via technology."

One Economy also recognized exceptional youth who are using technology
to transform their communities. Dearborn, Michigan resident Amet
Alijahmi, a student enrolled in Digital Connectors, One Economy’s
technology and mentoring program for youth, received the Lisa Sullivan
Horizons Award and a scholarship. The award is named in memory of
founding One Economy Board Member, Lisa Y. Sullivan who was a tireless
advocate for youth.

Additionally, Comcast, a major sponsor of the Digital
Connectors program, gave $2,500 scholarships to four students
enrolled in the highly acclaimed youth technology program. To date, more
than 3,500 young people from diverse, low-income backgrounds have been
trained as One Economy Digital Connectors. These young people have
contributed more than 77,000 hours of service to their communities
spreading digital literacy.

“We are proud to partner with One Economy to bring broadband access and
the Digital Connectors program to communities across the country,” said
David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation. “We also
salute Comcast Digital Connector and Lisa Y. Sullivan award winner, Amet
Aljahmi. Amet’s service in her community is inspirational and serves as
a perfect example of how young people are using technology to improve
lives.”

At the end of the program, Chairman and Co-founder Rey Ramsey received a
surprise when he was awarded the inaugural Ramsey Award for Excellence
in Mentorship. After accepting the inaugural award, Ramsey offered a
glimpse into One Economy’s future vision and leadership with the
introduction of One Economy’s new CEO, Kelley Dunne, a telecom innovator
and entrepreneur. Dunne brings more than 20 years of experience in the
telecommunications industry, including the successful creation of
DigitalBridge Communications Corp. and leadership positions at One Point
Communications, Verizon and AT&T/Bell Labs. He also served in the U.S.
Army Signal Corps as both an enlisted service member and an officer.

“The last 10 years of One Economy have been about outlining the
potential of what is possible, and the next 10 will be spent realizing
that potential,” said Dunne. “One Economy is better positioned to
harness and realize the potential of evolving technologies –
domestically and globally – than any other organization in the world. I
truly believe we are on the cusp of something incredible, and I thank
you all for being here tonight to support us.”

Following the program, attendees participated in an interactive
technology exposition. Highlights included One Economy’s live wireless
network where Gala attendees could send live messages, which were posted
on the Newseum’s four story monitor; live Skype chat with a One Economy
editor from Jordan who creates multi-lingual online content for
underserved residents in Jordan and One Economy’s We Are Now Connected
van, which will travel the country providing mobile technology labs and
digital literacy training.

One Economy is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative
approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to
low-income people. More than 19 million people have used One Economy's
online tools and resources, including the Public Internet Channel (www.pic.tv),
to build better lives. One Economy has launched on-the-ground programs
in 42 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
The Digital
Connectors program is One Economy's flagship initiative that
delivers 21st century technology training to young people from
low-income backgrounds, who then share what they learn within their own
communities. To date, more than 3,000 Digital Connectors have delivered
more than 77,000 hours of technology focused community service. Learn
more at www.one-economy.com.